Staying Fit on Vacation: 7 Tips to Making it Happen

people doing yoga staying fit on vacation

Traveling is a soothing balm for our worn-out souls. The sound of waves, the rustle of palm fronds swaying in the breeze, and the sand beneath your feet—these are the sights and scents that we all look forward to within these few days of repose. Indeed, vacations offer a chance to break free from life’s daily grind.

But there is a bit of drawback to it—holidays and vacations may be detrimental to our health. Without the structure of workout routines, and with limited access to healthy food options, a week of going on a holiday is enough to put our system off balance.

Thus, instead of feeling energized coming back from a vacation, we end up feeling tired and bloated. But this scenario doesn’t have to be the case. Avoid the post-vacation syndrome with a few tweaks before heading out to the great outdoors. Here are practical tips on how to stay fit on vacation.

How to Stay Fit on Vacation, One Step at a Time!

1. Stay hydrated

Bring a bottle of water with you to replenish lost fluids. Drinking water is a great way to stay in shape and respond to the challenge on how to stay fit on vacation. Add a pinch of salt in your bottle of water to help replace lost electrolytes. Drink coconut water if you can, for optimal hydration benefits. Coconut water is rich in potassium and contains calcium and magnesium.

2. Take your vitamins and supplements

That is one sure way to stay fit on vacation. Getting sick while you are away on vacation can be frustrating. Strengthen your immune system by taking vitamins C, B-complex, D and Zinc. Probiotics can be a great immune system booster, too.

3. Go easy on the alcohol

It can be very tempting to overindulge on alcohol when you’re out on holiday. However, getting drunk can leave you dehydrated, and may even cause long-term damage to your health. Excessive drinking is not just unhealthy—it is also dangerous and risky.

4. Incorporate exercise in your itinerary

Take advantage of the workout facilities in your hotel. Work out in your hotel room, use the stairs, go on a hike or dance at a night club. Ultimately, the goal is to get moving and burn calories.

5. Watch what and how much you eat

Try not to veer too much from your regular eating habits. If you can’t bring travel-friendly, healthy food items with you, a trip to a nearby grocery store can help. Cooking your food can save you money and is an excellent way to stay fit on vacation.

6. Get enough sleep

This tip is crucial in staying fit. Lack of sleep weakens our immune system, elicits anxiety attacks and triggers overeating. Turn your hotel room into a sleep haven by drawing down curtains/blinds and adjusting the room temperature.

7. Set aside time to meditate and practice mindfulness

It can be tempting to pack in as many activities to do and as many places to visit when going on a vacation. Doing so, however, can leave you feeling exhausted and frazzled. A few minutes of quiet, especially in the morning, can keep you grounded and help answer the question on how to stay fit on vacation.

The Bottom Line on How to Stay Fit on Vacation

American writer Elbert Hubbard once noted, “No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” This statement holds much truth, especially if one is down with a bad case of post-vacation syndrome. Make the most of your vacation by keeping healthy. Then return with renewed energy to face the world.

About the Author

Imee Rabang is a blogger/writer and bilingual poet from Manila, Philippines. She is an advocate of Philippine culture and supports causes that promote language and national identity. She juggles her time between work, parenthood, and community outreach programs. She also dabbles in photography and graphic arts in her free time.
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